Title: The House on the Borderland
Author: William Hope Hodgson
First published January 1, 1908
159 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780441045532 (ISBN10: 0441045537)
Rating: 3.62
Overview
The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson is a remarkable novel that will take you on a journey across the fabric of time and space. The house, built on a mysterious void, is destined to witness the ultimate apocalypse.
However, the doors remain open for those brave enough to enter. H.
P. Lovecraft described it as an unparalleled masterpiece, with the narrator’s spirit traveling through infinite cosmic space and time, witnessing the end of the solar system.
Despite being written before the First World War, this classic tale remains as compelling today as it was when it was first published.
About the Author
Meet William Hope Hodgson, an accomplished English author who wrote extensively across multiple genres. His portfolio includes essays, short stories, and novels, spanning horror, fantastic fiction, and science fiction.
While he started as a poet, only a handful of his poems were published while he was alive. Hodgson also excelled as a photographer and a bodybuilder, earning him recognition in both fields.
During World War One, he served with the British Army, but unfortunately, he lost his life at the age of 40 in Ypres, where he was killed by German artillery fire.
Editoral Review
The House on the Borderland, written by William Hope Hodgson and first published in 1908, is a classic of horror and early science fiction. Hodgson was a pioneering writer in these genres, and his work has influenced many writers who followed in his footsteps, including H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, and Neil Gaiman.
The House on the Borderland tells the story of a recluse known only as the Recluse, who discovers an ancient manuscript in a dilapidated old house in remote Ireland. The manuscript tells the story of a man who discovers a strange realm beneath the earth, full of bizarre creatures and strange landscapes.
As the man explores this new world, he becomes embroiled in a cosmic conflict between powerful beings who seek to control the universe. The novel is notable for its vivid descriptions of bizarre landscapes and creatures, as well as its exploration of cosmic mysteries and the nature of reality.
The Recluse is a complex and mysterious figure, whose motivations and intentions are never fully revealed. One of the strengths of the novel is Hodgson’s imaginative and evocative prose style, which creates a vivid sense of otherworldly strangeness that is both enchanting and terrifying.
The novel’s pacing is expertly managed, with a gradual buildup of mystery and suspense that leads to a shocking and unforgettable climax. The House on the Borderland is not without its flaws, however.
The novel can be confusing at times, with its complex narrative structure and multiple layers of reality. Some readers may find the Recluse too enigmatic and distant to fully engage with, and the novel’s cosmic vistas may strike some as overly abstract and disconnected from real human experience.
Despite these limitations, The House on the Borderland is an important and influential work of horror and science fiction, and a must-read for fans of these genres. Its imaginative scope and evocative prose make it a timeless classic that still holds up to modern scrutiny.
Overall, The House on the Borderland earns a solid recommendation from this reviewer. Its richly imagined world and compelling characters make it a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.
While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to take the plunge into this strange and wondrous realm will be rewarded with a journey that is both fascinating and terrifying.
